Pete Rock, the legendary hip-hop producer, recently delved into his turbulent history with former groupmate CL Smooth during an episode of the Drink Champs podcast, where he was joined by Common. The duo, renowned for their iconic albums Mecca and the Soul Brother and The Main Ingredient, have experienced a long and intricate relationship, characterized by several breakups and reunions over the past three decades.
Reflecting on his time with CL Smooth, Rock began with high praise for his former partner’s talent. “He’s the best talent I ever came across in my whole life. I’ve never heard a guy rap like this, I’ve never heard a voice like this,” Rock shared. He acknowledged the positive moments they shared as well as the difficulties they faced. “Like life, people have ups and downs. And sometimes, when we’re in the negative zone, we go [does split motion]. We would wish for each other to grow, but when one is growing and the other isn’t, it’s still uneven.”
Rock underscored that the split was regrettable, attributing it to certain undisclosed events. “It should never be like this. Ever. We should still be together, but some things, you know, I can’t tell the whole public. Things happened in the partnership that just can’t be reconciled, and people won’t understand.”
In an Instagram post, Rock elaborated on his comments, advising those who have experienced similar splits to “take the high road.” He emphasized keeping personal issues private, stating, “People sometimes rejoice in separation. When I mind my business, folks start making up their own stories, but it’s nobody’s business but mine, plain and simple. Like it or don’t.”
Rock concluded by expressing that he has moved on and wishes CL Smooth well. He acknowledged that not all partnerships endure forever, but it is crucial to respect each other’s boundaries and have shared experiences to foster mutual understanding. “Real ones know this, but they don’t believe groups stay together forever. That only happens when two men really respect each other’s boundaries and share similar experiences that foster a deep understanding.”
The history between Pete Rock and CL Smooth dates back to 1995, when they first split after releasing two successful albums. They later reunited to work on Rock’s solo projects, but their differences resurfaced, leading to another split in 2018 and ending plans for a third album together.
